Category Archives: Media

Cindy and I went to protest Trey last night and it was a very interesting experience. We started holding the signs a little after 5:00. By 5:45 we had about 75 people all with signs and a megaphone or two to lead chants. And we had a photographer and reporter from the H-T as well as WTIU. People attending the fund raiser started arriving around 5:30. Most acted as if we did not exist – but there were some good natured waves. I kept asking people if they would come and talk with us since Trey won’t meet. No takers.

About 6:00 Cindy and I went into the fundraiser with Mike Molenda and Janet Stavropoulos. We owe a HUGE thank you to Katherine Devich for offering tickets to attend. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Overall there were about a dozen dems at the affair – most of whom had been outside protesting. Before going on to the details of the affair, I would like to thank William Ellis, the chair of the Monroe County Republican Party and the MC for the event. He was gracious and friendly in welcoming us and, as Trey was distracted as he visited tables, William made sure Trey made his way back to our table.

I did have a brief conversation with Trey, but before that let me provide a few notes on what was said at the affair:

• Luke Messer is running for Joe Donnelly’s seat in the
Senate.

• Donald Trump Jr is going to be at their State meeting
(apparently this is hot off the press)

• Trey told us that he really wants to hear from the people. He
hesitated on voting for Trump care because he wanted to
read it, think about it, and ask citizens what they thought.

• Trey also told us that he really wants to know what his
constituents think so every week they make 300 to 500
random phone calls to constituents to learn what is on their
(our) minds. That is a large number of calls – so those of you
were there let me know if I got it wrong – but that is what
at least two of us heard. If they are randomly selected
constituents, I would expect some of us got one of those
calls????

In talking to someone in the drink line we were asking how Trey won the primary. I was told that he did little meeting with people but rather flooded the district with mail, phone calls, and push-pull polls. But he spent very little time with people. Remember this is just the opinion of one person I was talking to.

Trey visited all the tables before he talked. When he came to our table I told him I was chair of DFMC and told him about William Ellis (chair, MCRP) and Robert Hall (Grass Roots Conservatives) coming to one of our meetings and receiving a spontaneous round of applause. And that most importantly we found common ground on redistricting and money in politics. I told Trey I would like him to be part of a DFMC meeting and have a conversation with us. He said yes, he said “yes” several times – emphasizing that we are all “Americans first.” He had his PR person give me his phone number to find a date. Cindy recorded the conversation just so there is no missing the commitment he made. You can listen to it here.

So, while I suspect this is going to take some persistence, I am hopeful we will be able to host a very interesting meeting.

Join us for some free popcorn and snacks, as we present “The Brainwashing of My Dad”, a groundbreaking movie that chronicles the creation of the right wing media in America.

Democracy For America (our parent organization), has been promoting this movie, as important to understanding what is happening in America. We are providing popcorn and other drinks and snacks, and you are free to bring dinner with you.

About our Movie:
WAS HILLARY CLINTON CRAZY WHEN SHE SPOKE OF THE “VAST RIGHT-WING CONSPIRACY,” RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RELENTLESS AND COSTLY ATTACKS AGAINST HER HUSBAND, PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON?

As filmmaker, Jen Senko, tries to understand the transformation of her father from a non political, life-long Democrat to an angry, right-wing fanatic, she uncovers the forces behind the media that changed him completely: a plan by Roger Ailes under Nixon for a media takeover by the GOP, The Powell Memo urging business leaders to influence institutions of public opinion, especially the universities, the media and the courts, and under Reagan, the dismantling of the Fairness Doctrine.

As her journey continues, we discover that her father is part of a much broader demographic, and that the story is one that affects us all.

Through interviews with media luminaries, cognitive linguists, grassroots activist groups such as: Noam Chomsky, Steve Rendall, Jeff Cohen, Eric Boehlert, George Lakoff, STOP RUSH, HearYourselfThink, Claire Conner and others, “Brainwashing” unravels the plan to shift the country to the Right over the last 30 years, largely through media manipulation. The result has lead to fewer voices, less diversity of opinion, massive intentional misinformation and greater division of our country.

This documentary will shine a light on how it happened (and is still happening) and lead to questions about who owns the airwaves, what rights we have as listeners/watchers and what responsibility does our government have to keep the airwaves truly fair, accurate and accountable to the truth.

Join Indiana Coalition for Public Education–Monroe County for a free, ticketed screening of the acclaimed documentary, Backpack Full of Cash.
Narrated by Matt Damon, this feature-length documentary explores the growing privatization of public schools and the resulting impact on America’s most vulnerable children. Filmed in Philadelphia, New Orleans, Nashville and other cities, Backpack Full of Cash takes viewers through the tumultuous 2013–14 school year, exposing the world of corporate-driven education “reform” where public education—starved of resources—hangs in the balance.
Watch the preview here. vimeo.com/189823117
Doors open to the theater at 6:30.
Your name will be on the list and we will check it at the door to ensure all ticket holders get a seat.
Seating is first come, first seated.
Intro to the film starts at 6:45.
Film begins at 7:00.
The film is proudly sponsored by the following generous donors.
Indiana State Teachers Association, District 18
Indiana University School of Eduction
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington
Martha & David Moore
Democracy for Monroe County
Penny Githens
Andy & Susie Graham
John Hamilton & Dawn Johnsen
Monroe County Education Association
Deborah Myerson
Showers Inn
Brian & Peg Smith
Janet Stake
Jeff Stake HiFi
Sterling Real Estate
Liz Watson for Congress
More here: www.icpe-monroecounty.org/blog/join-us-in-a-screening-of-backpack-full-of-cash

Are you an advocate for Universal Health Care? Do you believe every company should have to pay people a Living wage? Would you like to see our country change its policy of never-ending Wars? Then you have till next Friday to become a Precinct Committee Person with the Democratic Party at the voter registration office and become a state delegate to the Democratic Party State Convention. We have a chance to come out against superdelegates and make the Democratic party represent the people again. If you agree with me then get off of here and go fill out the forms by next Friday at the Monroe County Voter Registration office and let me know that you've done so. Remember if we pass Universal Health Insurance everybody will have health care and I'll need a job, so let's get this done and find me another job!! ...

Feb 9th Deadline to Fix/Strengthen Dem Party!

February 9, 2018, 8:00am - February 9, 2018, 12:00pm

YOUR Voice Can Save Indiana's Democratic Party!
To Do: File the CAN-37 Form by NOON February 9th!!
Where: Your local County Elections Office
Why: Because Indiana needs and deserves a responsive, open, competent, and accountable Democratic Party in every one of our 92 counties.
What’s the CAN-37 Form? It’s the name of a state form used to declare yourself as a candidate for Precinct Committee-Person (also called Precinct Chair, PC, or PCP). You can find one here:
www.in.gov/sos/elections/2395.htm
What does a Precinct Chair do? In far too many cases, nothing. In other cases, current PC’s do what a very small number of individuals in the county tell them to. Ideally, a PC is in touch with his or her own neighborhood of voters, making sure they register and vote, and that the Party is responding to their concerns. In some counties, the PC helps select Democrat election workers to manage the polls. PC’s (and VPC’s, see below) are the true voting members of Indiana’s Democratic Party. They are the only people who must be notified of a county’s Central Committee meetings and the only people allowed to vote in those meetings. They approve or reject late-entry candidates if the Democratic slate on the ballot is not filled after the Primary.
Importantly, PC’s elect local Party officers (County Chair, Vice-Chair, and others), who in turn elect on up to the District, then State Central Committee and the DNC. If you see problems in your county party of poor leadership, lack of political action and voter engagement, ***THIS, the filing of the CAN-37 Form, before NOON February 9th, IS THE ONLY SURE PATH TO BETTER LEADERSHIP OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. DO IT. GET IN THE ROOM.***
Some fine print: A PC candidate only goes on the Primary (May 8th) ballot IF more than one person in the precinct files a CAN-37. That may mean a seriously contested race, but most likely the person who runs a respectful, friendly race will be appointed to a vacant PC or Vice PC position even after losing. We hope.
What is the Vice PC? After winning a PC race OR running unopposed, the new PC must appoint a new Vice PC of the opposite sex, in writing, by certified mail, postmarked before midnight May 10th. If the new PC does not appoint a Vice PC within that time, the County Chair may fill that vacancy as he or she sees fit.
New to this? Out team wants to help. Drop us a note at DemEnterIN@gmail.com, and we will be glad to answer your questions about filing, running, appointing and all the rest. Also, Monday Feb. 5th we will host a webinar where you can ask questions live: Here is that link:
zoom.us/w/968807211?tk=JSC5nQH1pfhYDFhXGBPtghkV0eesYt65AtU1rxKglzM.DQEAAAAAOb7TKxYxZ01kaDhnLVM4R0...
Don't know the name of your precinct/township/city ward? Confirm or update your Voter Registration info at www.IndianaVoters.com to find the name of your precinct.
WAIT!! You may actually need TWO CAN-37’s! The Indiana State Democratic Convention will be June 15-16th. Can you join us by filing a SECOND CAN-37 to also run for state delegate? We hope to number in the hundreds. It’s a great place to experience the richness of perspectives and resources that the Party and its members have to offer.
***Remember, DON’T sign the form until you are in the presence of the Notary or Election Officer!*** Thanks!!!

This is very important. Please go to this event, organized by the awesome Young Democratic Socialists. ...

Medicare for All Townhall

January 26, 2018, 6:00pm - January 26, 2018, 7:00pm

This event will be held on January 26th in Hodge Hall 2075 at 6PM and feature panelists with a variety of expertise, including Jacob Bosley, Amanda Lamm, Carrie Lawrence, and Robert Stone.
We need a healthcare system that prioritizes the health of working-class Americans over the profits of insurance companies and their billionaire executives. We need a single, universal system with comprehensive coverage that is free at the point of service.
Help YDSA Bloomington, a student branch of the Democratic Socialists of America, fight to replace our broken, for-profit health system with Medicare for All!

Come on out tonight. to the Latino Caucus. The DFMC has been supportive of this process from Day One in this process and would like to congratulate everyone involved for working to get this organized. ...

Inaugural Member Meeting

January 23, 2018, 6:00pm - January 23, 2018, 7:00pm

Join us in launching the first member meeting of the Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus-9th District! More details to come...
Guest speakers include:
Pedro Navarrete, Treasurer, INLDC9; State Central Committee Member, IN Latino Democratic Caucus
Dana Black, Deputy Chairperson of Outreach and Engagement, IN Democratic Party
Christie Popp, Attorney
...and others to be announced!